Achieving a 7 per cent reduction in carbon emissions annually in Ireland will not happen immediately, so “people have to give the government time to turn things around”, according to climate scientist Prof Peter Thorne. But you must also have government policy and instruments to do so,” Prof Thorne added. On the issue of methane arising from ruminants (cattle) and sheep, Prof Thorne said there had to be a reduction in emissions and by extension in head count. As a consequence a 2 per cent reduction in national methane emissions was required year on year. He accepted it was a very nuanced argument but such a reduction would mean biogenic methane would be stabilised.

Source: The Irish Times June 19, 2020 14:03 UTC